Olana, Levon Helm, Holidays in Woodstock (New York, that is...)

Wonderful December weekend in Woodstock, New York! I'll hit the highlights. Beautiful 3 hour drive from CT through the Berkshires of Mass to Hudson to visit Olana - the home of Frederic Church the landscape painter. It was a clear crisp sunny day perfect to see the vistas from Olana which sits up high overlooking the Hudson River. Church was a Hudson River artist and he built this home to replicate his world travels. It's Persian inspired and various rooms reflect the places he and his wife had visited - the Middle East, Mexico, etc. He had 10,000 items shipped home and they are in the home. It's incredibly interesting. Some of his work is on the walls (beautiful) and in other rooms he collected works of other artists. He did everything "for effect" the tour guide told us and you can see that in the detail of the home. Plus the grounds have walkable trails where he specifically cut the trails for their vistas of the home, and the land around it. It was about $15 per person, the tour guide was knowledgable, the tour was about 45 minutes and then we walked the trails. Spent a few hours there. Look for the little, subtle sign at the driveway entrance.

Then drove about 40 minutes into the town of Woodstock. Festive, fun, friendly with some great restaurants. Need I say more? Ate at Cucina an Italian restaurant the first night. Lovely, good food, modern atmosphere. Small portions (we don't eat that much either). Two entrees, two drinks, one salad - $125 later....still a little hungry?

Saturday was spent walking the town, some fun shopping in Woodstock (gifty type items, a very nice men's clothing store, the obligatory tshirt shops but some very nice people - shout out to Max the dog and his parents - such nice, friendly shop owners!). We bought some Christmas gifts and poked around.

We needed an early dinner because that night we were on our way to Levon Helm's place (drummer for The Band) for a four hour "midnight ramble" concert! Had bought $150 tickets online in advance and wanted to be there early for general admission seating. Ate at Yum Yum Noodle Bar right in the center of town. Drove by it three or four times because we didn't see a sign, but finally found it on a festive corner adorned with the town Christmas tree and holiday lights. Sat at the little bar and had the best Pad Thai and Udon Noodle Bowl. I kid you not when I say go here - even if Thai is not your faovrite. For the Noodle Bowl for instance you choose your broth, your protein and your type of noodles - veggies, hard boiled egg - delish!!! Boyfriend says pad thai was superb. Three thumbs up to Yum Yum. Inexpensive, friendly, delicious.

On to Levon Helm's place. Only 5 minutes outside of town, but down a long dark road - finally found the driveway entrance. I'll just get right down to it - if you like The Band, Levon , good music, GO THERE. What a pleasure. We saw 4 hours of incredible music starting with a band who played a fabulous Sly Stone theme - horn section a blazing, Eric Mingus vocals beyond amazing. So good you could almost cry over it. Musicians out of Brooklyn. Then a break and Levon is on stage with his band. I could go on and on but the visiting guest was Donald Fagan, the atomsphere was electric, Levon smiled and played with such enthusiasm the whole night. He even had a little visit from his dog (so darn cute) and before the end the crowd was treated to a New Orleans style romp from the horn section throught he audience. The Night they Drove Old Dixie Down, Ophelia and Eric Mingus back to sing 300 Pounds of Heavenly Joy. This was heavenly joy pure and simple. This whole thing happens in a state of the art studio/barn on Levon' home property in Woodstock. Needless to say, we are going back.

One last note about our trip - we stayed at a lovely place - The Woodstock Inn on the Millstream. Location is 5 minute walk/drive from Tinker Street the Main drag. We stayed in one of the large rooms had lots of atmosphere and the modern conveniences (flat screen, comfy king bed, jacuzzi tub,electric fireplace and even a little kitchenette. Opened the window to hear the rushing millstream. Really nice breakfast in the sunroom and super friendly management.

Oh and the first night we went impromptu upstairs to Joshua's a little mediterranean restaurant on the corner. We had a nightcap and heard a band. Do you know how friendly the people there were? They even included us in a birthday party, served us carrot cake, and then we all got up and danced to the band! How's that for fun and festive!

Honestly, I didn't know what to expect from a weekend away in Woodstock and I was pleasantly surprised to find a town with heart and creativity and friendly people. Thank you to everyone from the Millstream and Levon Helm and our new friends at Joshua's for making our weekend away a pleasure!!